countyscore
53.1
County Score
Safety 91.5Disaster Risk 77.5Schools 73.6

County Report Card

About La Salle County, Texas

Exceeding the National Livability Benchmark

La Salle County achieves a composite score of 53.6, outperforming the national median score of 50.0. This indicates the county offers a quality of life that ranks in the upper half of the United States.

Leading the Pack in Texas

At 53.6, La Salle County significantly exceeds the Texas average composite score of 41.9. It stands out as a high-performing rural option within the state's competitive landscape.

Top-Tier Safety and School Quality

The county boasts an elite Safety Score of 91.5 and a strong School Score of 73.6. Residents also benefit from a high Risk Score of 77.5, suggesting lower vulnerability to environmental hazards.

Weakness in Health and Income

Health remains the lowest dimension with a score of 10.5, alongside a modest Income Score of 26.4. While median home values are $101,000, rental data is currently unavailable, suggesting a less transparent housing market.

Best for Families Prioritizing Security

La Salle County is a premier choice for families who value safety and quality schools above all else. Its profile suits those who can navigate a rural landscape with fewer healthcare facilities.

2040608010012.272.391.510.573.627.277.536.812.8Tax12.2Cost72.3Safety91.5Health10.5Schools73.6Income27.2Risk77.5Water36.8Weather12.853.1/100
This county
National avg
4 above average5 below average

La Salle County DNA

Foverall

How La Salle County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

La Salle County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Safety (91.5/100) but notably weak in Weather & Climate (12.8/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
12.2-39.8
Cost
72.3+24.299999999999997
Safety
91.5+36.5
Health
10.5-39.5
Schools
73.6+19.599999999999994
Income
27.2-23.8
Risk
77.5+30.5
Water
36.8-21.200000000000003
Weather
12.8-43.2
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Think property taxes are too high in La Salle County?

Many homeowners in La Salle County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$97,800

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$819/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$97,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$32,760/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum1.7x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $57,716/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

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Deep Dives

La Salle County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in La Salle County

via TaxByCounty

La Salle County taxes well above U.S. median

La Salle County's effective tax rate of 1.561% nearly doubles the national median rate of 0.84%, placing it in the upper range nationally. At a median annual tax of $1,577 on homes valued near $101,000, La Salle County residents pay considerably less than the national median of $2,690 simply because property values are much lower.

Higher-taxing county in Texas

La Salle County's effective rate of 1.561% exceeds the Texas state average of 1.276%, ranking it among the state's more tax-intensive counties. Its median annual tax of $1,577 is notably lower than the state median of $2,193 due to the county's lower median home value of $101,000.

Higher rate than most regional peers

La Salle County's 1.561% rate sits between Knox County (1.862%) and nearby counties like Lamar (0.951%) and Lamb (1.192%), making it a mid-to-high taxer regionally. Only Knox County's rate exceeds it in this cluster, though La Salle's slightly higher median home value offsets some burden.

Your typical annual property tax bill

On La Salle County's median home value of $101,000, you'll owe approximately $1,577 in annual property taxes. With mortgage escrow, that figure climbs to about $2,432 per year.

Appeal if you're overassessed

Property overassessment remains common in La Salle County, especially for homes whose values have shifted. Requesting a formal appraisal review from your county appraisal district takes minimal effort and can yield significant tax savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in La Salle County

via IncomeByCounty

La Salle County significantly below national income

La Salle County's median household income of $55,469 is 26% lower than the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it among the nation's lower-income counties. This gap reflects limited economic diversification in South Texas.

Lowest income among surveyed Texas counties

At $55,469, La Salle County earns 14% less than the Texas median of $64,737, ranking it in the bottom tier statewide. The county's economy centers on ranching, oil, and limited agricultural production, limiting wage growth.

Lowest earner in South Texas cluster

La Salle County's $55,469 income is the lowest among nearby counties including Kleberg ($57,612) and Lamb ($56,997). The disparity suggests La Salle faces unique economic headwinds within an already challenged region.

Limited affordability data, but housing modest

While rent-to-income data is unavailable for La Salle County, the median home value of $101,000 suggests housing remains affordable on local incomes. However, the county's very low per capita income of $16,317 indicates wealth concentration concerns.

Affordable housing enables smart financial planning

La Salle County's modest home values create an opportunity for residents to build equity without excessive debt burden. Even households earning the median income can prioritize retirement contributions and emergency funds by choosing housing aligned with 25-30% of income, rather than stretching for expensive properties.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in La Salle County

via CrimeByCounty

Exceptional Safety on National Scale

La Salle County is one of the safest in America with an elite safety score of 99.8. Its total crime rate of 143.6 per 100K is roughly 16 times lower than the national average.

A Texas Safety Haven

The county easily surpasses the Texas safety average of 96.8, marking it as a top-tier safe haven. Local law enforcement manages a crime rate that is a mere fraction of the 2,052.5 state average.

Outshining Regional Safety Norms

With a violent crime rate of only 14.4 per 100K, La Salle effectively eliminates common safety concerns. Two reporting agencies provide comprehensive coverage for this exceptionally quiet South Texas area.

Minimal Crime Across All Categories

Violent crime is nearly non-existent, occurring at 14.4 per 100K compared to the 341.3 state average. Property crimes are also rare, totaling only 129.2 per 100K for the entire year.

Keep Peace of Mind High

Maintaining this high safety level starts with community awareness and simple home security measures. Even in high-safety zones, basic precautions ensure your property remains protected.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in La Salle County

via WeatherByCounty

La Salle County's Desert Intensity

La Salle County is intensely hot, averaging 72.0°F annually against a much lower national median. It is a dry region, seeing only 23.1 inches of rain.

Hotter than the Texas Norm

At 72.0°F, it is much hotter than the 65.5°F state average. It ranks as one of the warmest counties in the South Texas brush country.

High Heat Count for the Region

La Salle endures 157 days of extreme heat, far more than Kinney’s 118. It is also drier than Kleberg County, receiving nearly 4 fewer inches of rain.

Endless Heat and Minimal Rain

July is sweltering at 86.3°F, contributing to 157 days over 90°F. Winters are brief and mild at 56.5°F, with only a trace of snow at 0.1 inches.

Extreme Heat and Water Management

Extreme heat management is the priority for more than five months of the year. Residents should invest in heavy-duty cooling and water conservation for the 23.1-inch rainfall limit.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in La Salle County

via SoilByCounty

Sweet Soils of the Brush Country

La Salle County features a pH of 7.48, making it more alkaline than the 6.5 national median. The county's soil score of 29.9 is slightly higher than the state average of 28.8.

Fine Textures with High Clay Content

The soil composition includes 44.4% sand and a significant 30.5% clay. This mix makes the soil heavy and harder to work when wet, but it excels at holding onto vital plant nutrients.

Strong Organic Matter Levels for South Texas

With 1.70% organic matter, La Salle stays above the state average of 1.66%. The available water capacity is also high at 0.141 in/in, offering a good reservoir for plants during dry spells.

Managing Slow-Draining Hydrologic Group D

Falling into hydrologic group D, these soils drain slowly and can pose challenges for building foundations. The high clay content means water moves through the profile at a sluggish pace.

Long Growing Seasons in Zone 9a

The warm 9a hardiness zone supports a wide variety of semi-tropical and drought-hardy plants. Residents should focus on native species that thrive in the county's naturally alkaline environment.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in La Salle County

via LawnByCounty

Extreme Difficulty in South Texas Heat

La Salle County earns a low lawn difficulty score of 16.5, making it one of the toughest places in the country to maintain turf. This is nearly half as easy as the Texas state average and well below the national baseline of 50.0. The harsh combination of heat and aridity defines the landscape here in zone 9a.

The Most Extreme Heat in the State

Residents face a staggering 157 extreme heat days annually, far surpassing the Texas average of 105 days. Annual precipitation is only 23.1 inches, which is significantly lower than the 30-50 inches required for most lawns. This climate demands a highly specialized approach to irrigation and species selection.

Alkaline Earth and Heavy Clay Content

The soil pH sits at 7.48, meaning it is more alkaline than the 6.0-7.0 range grass prefers. With 30.5% clay and 44.4% sand, the soil can become very hard and compacted during dry spells. Regular aeration is necessary to ensure water and oxygen reach the root zone through the heavy clay.

A Year-Round Struggle with Drought

La Salle County has spent 53 weeks in drought over the last year, meaning conditions haven't broken for over twelve months. Currently, 100% of the county is in severe drought, making water conservation the top priority for any gardener. Consider xeriscaping or using ultra-drought-tolerant native grasses to cope with these permanent dry conditions.

Drought-Hardy Turf for Zone 9a

Buffalo grass and specialized Bermuda hybrids are the only viable options for surviving 157 days of extreme heat. With a very early final frost on March 3, the growing season starts quickly, but the window for planting is narrow. Get your seeds in the ground by mid-March to ensure they survive the punishing summer sun.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is La Salle County's county score?
La Salle County, Texas has a composite county score of 53.1 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does La Salle County rank among counties in Texas?
La Salle County ranks #47 among all counties in Texas on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in La Salle County, Texas?
The median annual property tax in La Salle County is $1,434, with an effective tax rate of 1.47%. This earns La Salle County a tax score of 12.2/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in La Salle County?
The median household income in La Salle County, Texas is $57,716 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. La Salle County earns an income score of 27.2/100 on CountyScore.
Is La Salle County, Texas a good place to live?
La Salle County scores 53.1/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #47 in Texas. The best way to evaluate La Salle County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare La Salle County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.